Between language and play: 21st Children's University "All about books" starts in March

"Good stories allow children to look into a world in which they can find their own experiences, wishes and hopes and at the same time relate them to others. It is the responsibility of parents and teachers to facilitate and promote an encounter between children and literature. And we have been making an important contribution to this at the University of Erfurt since 2005," explain the organisers. The format differs from other Children's Universities because it focuses exclusively on literary education and the promotion of reading motivation among primary and lower secondary school children; it combines lectures on various literary genres with seminars designed and run by students and, by visiting entire school classes, also gives children who do not receive such stimulation at home access to literature.

The official opening of this year's Children's University "All about books" will take place on Monday, 2 March at 5 pm in the Erfurt Town Hall. Arne Rautenberg will be the guest speaker that evening. The multi-award-winning poet and artist will provide insights into his literary and artistic work in a musically framed reading followed by a discussion. Free tickets for the opening are available from February from Kathrin Peinelt (kathrin.peinelt@uni-erfurt.de) at the University of Erfurt or at the Peterknecht bookshop.

Children's University programme

• Monday, 2 March (for grades 3 and 4): "In fantastischen Welten mit Sprache spielen"
• Tuesday, 3 March (for grades 3 and 4): "Wortgärten: Wo Gedichte wachsen"
• Wednesday, 4 March (for grades 3 and 4 for inclusive schools and schools with a special needs pedagogy focus): "Tierisch erzählt: Fabeln"
• Thursday, 5 March (for grades 3 and 4): "Tierisch erzählt: Fabeln als Comics"
• Friday, 6 March (for grades 4 and 5): "Im Rhythmus der Worte: Lyrik erleben"

Registration for the Children's University "All about books" is possible from 26 January to 6 February 2026 under the following contact: